Say 'hi' or something.

Jackson often seems so serious in public. When he meets a stranger, he takes a minute to study their face, then he relaxes and interacts, often with a smile.

Today Clarice and I wheeled Jackson into a crowded elevator. Jackson began to stare down a man who caught his eye and Clarice piped up; "don't just stare, say 'hi' or something." As if Jackson could say 'hi' already.

After a lull, the man said 'hi.'

Now I know Clarice was talking to Jackson, but it dawned on me that the comment could have also applied to all the people in the elevator who were checking out the cute baby. I chuckled aside to Clarice; "did you mean that to Jackson or to everybody?"

Suddenly, a lady blurted out an awkward 'hi' as if she was caught staring and felt instantly self-conscious. It was as if Clarice had accused everybody of a social faux pas. Very funny. In fact, I couldn't stop laughing at the thought of Clarice scolding a bunch of strangers for staring at our kid and not saying 'hi.'

Ian